Podcast Summary: Better Offline CES 2025: Day 5 - Pt. 1
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Hosts and Guests:
- Ed Zitron: Host and tech industry veteran
- Edward Ongueso Jr.: Correspondent
- Sherlyn Lowe: Deputy Editor at Engadget
- David J. Roth: Guest
- Bobby Bones: Guest
1. Introduction and Setting the Stage ([03:22] - [04:28])
Ed Zitron opens the episode by welcoming listeners to day five of the Better Offline consumer electronics show coverage at CES 2025. He introduces his guests:
- Edward Ongueso Jr.: Correspondent
- Sherlyn Lowe: Deputy Editor at Engadget
- David J. Roth and Bobby Bones: Additional guests
Ed shares his personal well-being and expresses excitement about the show, despite it being the final day.
Notable Quote:
"I am well slept. I ate two meals yesterday. My feet feel great. I look fantastic." – Ed Zitron ([03:22])
2. First Impressions of CES 2025 ([04:39] - [07:58])
Sherlyn Lowe discusses her experience at CES, noting it's her ninth or eighth time attending, making her relatively new compared to veterans who've been for 25 years. She highlights the smooth running of the current show, contrasting it with past editions where technical glitches occurred, such as simultaneous power outages.
Notable Quotes:
"I've been here when there was the rain and the snow. And then one year, everything. All the power went out in all of the booths at the same time." – Sherlyn Lowe ([06:04])
Ed and Sherlyn reflect on Las Vegas's adaptation to hosting CES, especially concerning construction and traffic management.
3. Sex Tech at CES: Innovations and Challenges ([08:03] - [16:20])
The conversation shifts to the presence of sex technology at CES. Sherlyn explains the reluctance of major tech media to cover women's sex tech products, citing instances where companies like Laura De Carlo and Lioness faced gatekeeping from CES organizers, preventing them from showcasing innovations focused on women's sexual health and empowerment.
Notable Quotes:
"The CTA was gatekeeping some of this. Or it was, like, not open to because it was squeamish." – Sherlyn Lowe ([11:23])
Dan Aykroyd discusses the societal reluctance, especially among men, to openly discuss and engage with sexual wellness products, emphasizing the need for more honest conversations about sex.
Notable Quotes:
"Sex is something we do in a dark room and we hide from it, despite men also craving it." – Dan Aykroyd ([12:55])
The panel advocates for embracing sex tech as a means to enhance personal well-being and intimacy, challenging the stigma surrounding it.
4. Robotics and Practical Tech Innovations ([16:20] - [24:54])
Sherlyn Lowe highlights the trend of practical robotics showcased at CES, such as robot vacuums with integrated arms by companies like Roborock and Dreamy. These advancements aim to overcome common obstacles like socks or toothbrushes left on the floor.
Notable Quotes:
"Roborock builds a robotic arm into its disc of Robovac. The arm can come up and detect obstacles, pick them up, and place them aside." – Sherlyn Lowe ([18:37])
The discussion moves to emotional support robots, with Sherlyn describing cost-effective models designed to provide companionship without the maintenance required by living pets.
Notable Quotes:
"We like them because they're cute... They can do their own thing, but not poop." – Sherlyn Lowe ([21:56])
The panel appreciates these robots for their clear use cases, contrasting them with more abstract or overhyped tech solutions.
5. Accessibility and Assistive Technologies ([24:54] - [38:44])
The conversation delves into accessibility tech, particularly innovations aimed at aiding those with mobility issues. Sherlyn showcases products like smart canes for the visually impaired and exoskeleton-powered pants designed to assist with movements, especially beneficial for individuals with knee pain or other mobility challenges.
Notable Quotes:
"The Arcturix powered pants are like an exoskeleton to help you move and climb better." – Sherlyn Lowe ([61:03])
Ed Zitron expresses enthusiasm for these technologies, recognizing their potential to significantly improve quality of life despite their high costs.
Notable Quotes:
"Putting on a suit that makes you able-bodied... is kind of cool." – Ed Zitron ([63:59])
The panel discusses the financial barriers to widespread adoption, noting that while such technologies are groundbreaking, their high price points limit accessibility.
6. Challenges in Tech Media Coverage ([38:44] - [55:43])
Sherlyn Lowe explains Engadget's meticulous process for covering CES, which involves extensive pre-show research and assigning experts to specific tech categories. This structured approach aims to ensure comprehensive and informed coverage amidst the vast array of products and innovations presented at CES.
Notable Quotes:
"We start the process the second we get the full exhibitor list... We find out what they do, reach out, and research their offerings." – Sherlyn Lowe ([45:11])
Dan Aykroyd critiques the superficial coverage often seen in tech media, arguing that shows like CES require a deeper understanding and more rigorous journalism to truly evaluate the products' worth and impact.
Notable Quotes:
"It's easy to just turn up and look for the big companies, but there's a refined process behind the scenes." – Dan Aykroyd ([47:27])
The discussion emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between genuinely innovative products and mere showpieces or clones lacking real utility.
7. Regulatory Issues: Lasers and Safety Standards ([55:43] - [100:06])
The episode shifts focus to regulatory challenges, particularly concerning consumer products that incorporate lasers. Phil Broughton, a health physicist and laser safety officer, explains the stringent FDA regulations governing laser products, emphasizing the risks of improper use and the importance of compliance with safety standards.
Notable Quotes:
"Every consumer product that incorporates a laser is supposed to have been vetted and compliant with a federal laser product performance standard." – Phil Broughton ([86:01])
The panel discusses instances of non-compliant products at CES, such as laser-enhanced consumer goods (e.g., laser bras and bongs), highlighting the dangers they pose, including potential blindness and the creation of harmful carcinogens due to incomplete combustion.
Notable Quotes:
"The moment you add a laser to a product without proper safety measures, you become a laser manufacturer." – Phil Broughton ([84:08])
Dan Aykroyd expresses concern over the proliferation of unsafe laser products, underscoring the necessity for stricter enforcement and better consumer awareness.
Notable Quotes:
"Why do they use lasers so much if they can just use LED light sources?" – Dan Aykroyd ([93:01])
The discussion highlights the gap between innovation and safety, advocating for responsible product development and robust regulatory oversight to prevent consumer harm.
8. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks ([100:06] - [113:42])
As the episode nears its conclusion, the hosts reflect on the day's discussions, emphasizing the need for meaningful technological advancements that genuinely enhance human life. They express frustration over products that prioritize trendiness over practicality and stress the importance of regulatory compliance to ensure consumer safety.
Notable Quotes:
"When it gets worse, it's when people interfere with that process." – Dan Aykroyd ([65:12])
Ed Zitron and his guests reiterate their commitment to providing insightful and critical analysis of tech industry trends, encouraging listeners to engage with responsible and beneficial technologies.
Notable Quotes:
"This is what makes technology actually magical—stuff that makes you stronger, connects you with people honestly." – Dan Aykroyd ([64:50])
The episode concludes with acknowledgments to contributors, information on how listeners can connect with the hosts, and a brief mention of upcoming content.
Conclusion
"Better Offline CES 2025: Day 5 - Pt. 1" offers an in-depth exploration of the latest consumer electronics showcased at CES 2025. Through thoughtful discussions, the panel critically examines innovations in sex tech, robotics, accessibility, and regulatory compliance, highlighting both groundbreaking advancements and the challenges they present. The episode underscores the importance of responsible innovation, thorough media coverage, and stringent safety standards to ensure that technological progress benefits society without compromising safety or ethics.
Key Takeaways:
- Sex Tech: Despite stigma, significant advancements are being made to enhance women's sexual health and empowerment, though gatekeeping remains a barrier.
- Robotics: Practical robots with clear use cases, such as assistive vacuums and emotional support companions, are valuable additions to the tech landscape.
- Accessibility: High-tech solutions like smart canes and exoskeletons offer transformative potential for individuals with mobility challenges, though cost remains a significant hurdle.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring consumer safety, especially in products involving lasers, requires rigorous adherence to standards and proactive oversight by both manufacturers and regulatory bodies.
Links and Resources:
- Better Offline Website: betteroffline.com
- Sherlyn Lowe's Contact: engadget.com
- Phil Broughton's Blog: funraniumlabs.com
This summary captures the essence of the discussion from Better Offline’s CES 2025 coverage, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the key topics and insights shared during the episode.